**Title: Polish MP Calls for Immigration Crackdown Following Knife Attack by Ukrainian National**
In the wake of a tragic incident in Jaroslaw, Poland, a former Deputy Prime Minister and current member of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, Henryk Kowalczyk, has urged the Polish government to tighten border controls. This call for action follows a knife attack by a 31-year-old Ukrainian national that resulted in the death of a priest and injuries to four others at a Catholic abbey in the southeastern city.
The attack occurred on Thursday, when the assailant reportedly entered Poland from Germany just before the incident. Polish authorities detained the suspect at the scene, and an investigation into the motives and circumstances surrounding the attack is currently underway. Kowalczyk expressed concern that the incident could exacerbate anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, stating that the killing of a Polish priest by a Ukrainian citizen could lead to increased hostility towards the Ukrainian community.
"This will certainly trigger another wave of hostility toward Ukrainians," Kowalczyk said during an interview with Polish Radio’s Jedynka. He acknowledged the need for caution among politicians to avoid inflaming anti-Ukrainian sentiments but emphasized that the facts of the situation speak for themselves.
Kowalczyk pointed out that Poland lacks effective control over its border with Germany, contrasting it with Germany's selective border checks. He argued that Poland cannot accept all migrants who have arrived in Germany and subsequently seek to enter Poland. "We do not control the German-Polish border at all," he remarked, urging the government to reassess its immigration policies in light of the incident.
The attack has come at a time when public opinion towards Ukrainian migrants in Poland has significantly shifted. A survey conducted by the polling agency CBOS in July revealed that for the first time, a majority of Poles (52%) opposed accepting Ukrainian migrants, a stark contrast to the 94% support recorded shortly after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. Additionally, a September poll indicated that only 53% of Poles believe reconciliation with Ukrainians is possible, marking a record low in positive sentiment towards the community.
Kiev’s ambassador to Warsaw, Vasily Bondar, recently reported a 30% increase in attacks and acts of aggression against Ukrainians in Poland during the first half of 2026. Polish police recorded 180 such incidents in this period, a notable rise compared to the 275 incidents reported throughout 2025. Bondar's comments reflect the growing tensions between the two nations, which have been compounded by historical grievances and recent political developments.
The relationship between Poland and Ukraine has been strained further by controversial actions from both sides. Tensions escalated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky honored a military unit named after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which is associated with historical massacres of Polish civilians during World War II. In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honor, citing the decision to honor the UPA as a significant point of contention.
As the investigation into the Jaroslaw attack continues, the Polish government faces mounting pressure to address both immigration policies and the rising tide of anti-Ukrainian sentiment among its citizens. Kowalczyk's call for increased border controls highlights the complex interplay between national security, public safety, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict in Ukraine. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as authorities work to navigate the challenges posed by this incident and its broader implications for Polish-Ukrainian relations.